James Henry Fitz Culpepper

Male, #35292, (16 Feb 1858 - 10 Oct 1892)

Parent*Elias Daniel Culpepper (31 Jan 1832 - 8 May 1914)
Parent*Nancy Clegg (30 Jul 1832 - 2 Nov 1904)
James Henry Fitz Culpepper|b. 16 Feb 1858\nd. 10 Oct 1892|p35292.htm|Elias Daniel Culpepper|b. 31 Jan 1832\nd. 8 May 1914|p32452.htm|Nancy Clegg|b. 30 Jul 1832\nd. 2 Nov 1904|p32453.htm|Rev. William H. Culpepper|b. 17 Oct 1813\nd. 22 Mar 1909|p32073.htm|Sarah Leslie|b. 15 Feb 1808\nd. 22 Jan 1849|p32074.htm|||||||

Birth*16 Feb 1858 James was born at Jefferson Co., Arkansas, on 16 Feb 1858.1 
 He was the son of Elias Daniel Culpepper and Nancy Clegg. 
1860 Census1860 Sarah, Nancy, John, James and Joseph listed as a household member living with Elias Daniel Culpepper in the 1860 Census at Darysaw, Jefferson Co., Arkansas. 28 m-p. 873 hh 646. 
1870 Census1870 Sarah, Nancy, John, James, Isaac, Joseph, Martha, Malcolm and Francis listed as a household member living with Elias Daniel Culpepper on the 1870 Census at Derasaw Township, Grant Co., Arkansas. 38 m-210 hh 33. 
Employment* James's occupation: merchant. 
Death*10 Oct 1892 He died at Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas, on 10 Oct 1892.2 
Burial*11 Oct 1892 His body was interred on 11 Oct 1892 at Pine Bluff, Jefferson Co., Arkansas. 
Biography* Henry was born in Arkansas and he was noted with his parents in 1860 census records in Darysaw P. O. District of Jefferson Co., AR. Darysaw appears to be west of Pine Bluff on the Grant County side of the Grant/Jefferson county line. He was still living at home at the time of the 1870 census and was recorded in "Derasaw" Township, presumably still Darysaw, Grant Co., AR. The family was apparently living in an area which was taken into Grant Co., AR which was organized in 1869.3

Henry has not been located in 1880 census records but had presumably moved out on his own. By 1890, Henry Culpepper had established himself as a clothing merchant in Pine Bluff, AR with a store on the corner of Main Street and Second Avenue.4 He was apparently doing well enough that he was able to purchase a farm known as "the Boyd plantation," across the Arkansas River from Pine Bluff, for $19,000 and he hired Israel Stewart as the overseer for the place.5

In the spring of 1892, Henry leased a portion of the farm to Mr. Stewart who was nearly 70 years old. Unfortunately, Mr. Stewart had no success with the land and, although indebted to Henry for several thousand dollars, Mr. Stewart continued to ask for cash advances.4

In the Fall of 1892, Henry refused to give Mr. Stewart any more money and asked him to leave the premises. Henry had asked his father, Elias Daniel Culpepper, to oversee the farm.4 Mr. Stewart refused to leave. Henry offered to let the man keep the livestock and some of the farm implements even though they were all mortgaged to Henry but Mr. Stewart still refused to leave. On the morning of 10 Oct 1892, Henry went out to the farm in a final attempt to get Mr. Stewart to leave the farm and Mr. Stewart shot him three times killing him.4 The speculation was that Mr. Stewart had shot Henry with a rifle or pistol as Henry was approaching the house and then, as Henry turned, Mr. Stewart shot him two more times with a shotgun.4 Henry was 34 years old when he was killed. He was a Mason.4 

Charts Descendants of Elias Daniel Culpepper of Jefferson Co., AR
Last Edited 11 Feb 2004

Citations

  1. William Harold Broughton, The Cleggs of Old Chatham: the ancestry, family, descendants of Thomas A. Clegg and Bridget Polk, their kin, and events of history Clegg Family Association, 1977.
    p. 229.
  2. Ms. Arlene LaGrone, compiler, Masonic Deaths in Arkansas 1838 - 1916, PO Box 908, Hot Springs, AR 71902-0908: LaGrone, 1999.
    p. 39.
  3. Rhonda S. Norris, A Genealogist's Guide to Arkansas Research Russellville, AR: Arkansas Genealogical Research, 1994
  4. "Horrible Murder! J. H. Culpepper Murdered--Shot Dead on His Farm By an Old Employee," Pine Bluff Graphic (Jefferson Co., AR) 14 Oct 1892, p. 1, col. 2-3
  5. "Horrible Murder! J. H. Culpepper Murdered--Shot Dead on His Farm By an Old Employee," Pine Bluff Graphic (Jefferson Co., AR) 14 Oct 1892, p. 1, col. 2-3